A Summary of a Magnesium Clinical Study by Veronese et al. (2014)
Reviewed by John Cutts, PhD | Research & Development
Overview
The study aimed to evaluate whether 12 weeks of daily oral magnesium supplementation could improve muscle strength and physical performance in healthy elderly women.
Summary
Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthy elderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: a randomized controlled trial
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial
Participants: 124 healthy women (mean age 71.5 years) attending a twice-weekly mild fitness program
Dose: 300 mg magnesium daily (as magnesium oxide) for 12 weeks
Outcome Measures: Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), including 4-m gait speed, repeated chair stands, and standing balance; peak torque isometric and isokinetic strength of the lower limbs; handgrip strength; serum and urinary magnesium; body composition via DEXA; Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE)
What Was Studied: It was investigated whether 12 weeks of daily oral magnesium supplementation could improve physical performance and muscle strength in healthy elderly women already participating in a mild fitness program. The primary outcome was change in the composite Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score, with secondary outcomes including peak torque measurements of isometric and isokinetic leg strength and handgrip strength. Ancillary analyses examined whether baseline SPPB scores and dietary magnesium intake influenced the observed outcomes. Serum and urinary magnesium concentrations, body composition, and physical activity levels were also assessed as tertiary outcomes.
About the Reviewer
Name & Title: John Cutts, Director of Research at Solaray
Credentials: PhD Pharmacology & Toxicology
Bio: John Cutts, Ph.D. earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from BYU-Idaho. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the dietary supplement space, with a focus on scientific substantiation, regulatory affairs, and product development. His graduate research centered on the health-related properties of botanical compounds. He currently works in research and development, where he evaluates clinical evidence for dietary supplement ingredients.
References
Veronese N, Berton L, Carraro S, Bolzetta F, De Rui M, Perissinotto E, Toffanello ED, Bano G, Pizzato S, Miotto F, Coin A, Manzato E, Sergi G. Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthy elderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014;100(4):974–81. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25008857/